Pfizer Makes Progress with Over 42,000 Enrollment for Its COVID-19 Last Stage Vaccine Trial

Pfizer has made significant progress as it crosses 42,000 enrollment to participate in its last stage of the Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine trial. Pfizer initially planned on amassing up to 30,000 volunteers to put its third phase of the Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to test, but later decided to increase the numbers to up to 42,000. The reason for expansion as said by the company has to do with the increase in diversity and to have enough space to include adolescents from 16 years old as well as individuals with preexisting conditions.

Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) is working with BioNTech SE (NASDAQ: BNTX), a German drugmaker on the experimental vaccine. The vaccine has been said to contain messenger RNA or mRNA which is the genetic material. It plays an important role in the whole production as it causes the immune system to fight the COVID-19 virus according to scientists. Pfizer’s vaccine does not use any active virus but makes use of the mRNA which is being used for infectious disease for the first time. However, it has already been used to fight cancer. Out of the 400 vaccinated adults at Cincinnati, none of them have so far not been able to go to work because of the side effects. The common side effects recorded are achiness which is much similar to the one caused by real infections.

As of now, the second of the two-dose Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has already been administered to 36,000 volunteers. The last phase is a very important stage as the company gets the vaccine ready for distribution depending on the results. Pfizer will also have to apply with the Food and Drugs Administration for an emergency use authorization probably by next month.

In their mixed third-quarter earnings report which also had an update on the trial, the company revealed that the demand for some of their drugs was largely affected by the global pandemic as their sales decreased by 4.3%. A year ago, their sales were around $4.68 billion, and the Wall Street Analysts surveyed by Refinitiv predicted a $12.32 billion for the year under review. Unfortunately, their sales dropped to $12.13 billion lower than the expected sales and the sales of the previous year. This even affected the shares of the premarket as the company sought to hold a meeting with its investors to provide them with the necessary details on the vaccine.

Moderna Inc (NASDAQ: MRNA), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), and AstraZeneca Plc (NASDAQ: AZN) have also made significant progress in producing the vaccines, and are also in the third phase of the trial.

Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine Administered to Children and Being Monitored

According to Dr. Robert Frenck, the leader for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, 100 children as young as 12 have been vaccinated at the Cincinnati Children Hospital and are being watched carefully for any unusual side effects.

The doctors are currently watching the site of injection for lump, pain, or redness. They are also carefully watching the volunteers for any possible aches or fever. Frenck said that there is not much cause for concern as the vaccine administered to the children has already been administered to tens of thousands of adults whom they have safety data from all of them.